An **ebook** is an electronic book. Many ebooks require special software to view. Furthermore, most software only supports a specific format, so that you cannot view any ebook on any software. Some ebooks are written in a self-executing format (for Windows only) so that the reader does not have to download software...in that case, each ebook has a small reader "embedded" in the ebook that is run when you execute the ebook. Some ebooks are multimedia applications that mimic the turning of pages (in other words, they are "animated").

A popular open-source, free alternative is "ThoutReader". And they have completey redesinged it and called it "dotReader". dotReader is a **beta** (testing) version so all features are not there yet. Use ThoutReader to see all the features, including the ability to add "Notes" (like electronic sticky notes). Notes can be shared by making them "public". You can view any ebook with Notes turned off, with private (your) notes on, or with public notes on. People can import and export private notes in order to share them without making them available to the general public. You can download public notes for any book or all books. Other features include Bookmark, Highlight, and Search. You can sort your books into libraries by subject.

dotReader will be created for all 3 major operating systems (Windows/Linux/MacIntosh). It uses an open, non-proprietary format so it will be easy for other programmers to create editing tools and plugins for extended functionaity. Likewise, people will be able to create plugins to convert **from** other formats. dotReader will add the ability to natively support several formats without conversion. dotReader can already read ThoutReader format (its predecessor) natively, though a few packages (books) might have problems. There are many, many ThoutReader books available, both free and commercial. Some commercial publishers may give you a discount on their ebook if you already own a physical book. In any case, the ebook may be cheaper because it's not printed.

You need to create an account even to download free books because they use the same shopping cart system. You don't need to provide credit card information unless you intend to buy a book that is not free. Your account also enables you to download a book to multiple machines, by viewing "Previous downloads", and an account is also necessary to create public notes.

I downloaded both ThoutReader and the **beta** dotReader. As of this writing, all features have not been implemented yet in dotReader, so I use ThoutReader to read programming manuals where I want to read other people's notes. I use dotReader to test various features and make comments on the dotReader forums at their website. In other words, for those new to the idea of the general public testing software that is not finished, I'm a "beta tester".

This is **terrific** news both for consumers and the ebook industry, which is flat. Many proprietary formats means people avoid reading ebooks. Software that is **finally** (for the first time) implementing open standards that are available means consumers can read what they want, where they want, without the hassle of incompatible formats, and with a **lot** of books already available. It also means ebook reading will finally go mainstream and publishers can make money without gouging customers in order to cover the costs of printing physical books.

See http://www.osoft.com to get ThoutReader and ebooks for ThoutReader (also viewable by dotReader).

See http://dotreader.com to get the **beta** (testing) version of dotReader, which only came out a week ago.